This article looks at how an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-focused apprenticeship program helped participants build in-demand skills and move into employment. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), this resource can show how apprenticeships can open doors to emerging, higher-paying fields, not just traditional trades. TANF practitioners can use this to explore how “earn while you learn” models can work even in technical areas like AI, helping participants gain skills while receiving income. It addresses a growing gap between available jobs and worker skills and gives programming ideas for connecting clients to career paths that offer long-term growth and stability.

This initiative by the Department of Labor introduces artificial intelligence (AI) skills into apprenticeship programs, reflecting how jobs are changing across industries. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, this is important because it highlights the need to prepare participants not just for today’s jobs, but for jobs of the future. TANF practitioners can use this resource to incorporate digital and technical skill-building into employment plans, even for participants entering trades or non-traditional tech roles. It helps bridge a growing skills gap and gives TANF clients exposure to tools and knowledge that can increase their competitiveness and earning potential over time.

This Department of Labor guidance focuses on expanding registered apprenticeships by making them easier to start and more accessible to both employers and participants. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants, apprenticeships can be a powerful tool because they combine paid work with hands-on learning—something many participants need but may not know exists. This resource helps TANF programs identify ways to partner with employers or workforce agencies to bring these opportunities to TANF clients. It addresses the gap between training and employment by offering a model where participants can earn while they learn, which can improve engagement and retention.

This factsheet overviews the Executive Order by the Trump-Vance Administration to protect and strengthen Registered Apprenticeships. It breaks down changes required for workforce programs in order to make training faster, more flexible, and more connected to the economy’s needs.

This Executive Order (EO) by the Trump-Vance Administration announces that they will consolidate and streamline fragmented Federal workforce development programs that are too disconnected from propelling workers into secure, well-paying, and high-need American jobs. This EO will expand Registered Apprenticeships (RA) to new industries and occupations, including high-growth and emerging sectors, as well as improve RA’s efficiency and provide consistent support to program participants.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs play a critical role in helping families move toward employment, stability, and long-term economic mobility, including through the use of career pathways, which are connected sequences of education, training, and work experiences that help individuals progress through chosen fields. STAR has created a catalog of career pathway toolkits to help TANF programs plan career pathway initiatives. 

To accompany the Career Pathways Toolkit Catalog, these Starter Pathways are designed to help TANF administrators and staff navigate the toolkits more efficiently and intentionally. 

Users can begin with Starter Pathways to identify where to start planning based on their role and quickly access the most relevant toolkit sections based on their career pathways goals.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs play a critical role in helping families move toward employment, stability, and long-term economic mobility, including through the use of career pathways, which are connected sequences of education, training, and work experiences that help individuals progress through chosen fields. STAR has created a catalog of career pathway toolkits to help TANF programs plan career pathway initiatives. 

To accompany the Career Pathways Toolkit Catalog, these Guided Use Cases offer short, practical explainers that show how TANF programs can apply selected tools to common implementation challenges. TANF administrators and staff can use these Guided Use Cases to quickly identify which tools are most relevant, when to use them, and how they can support TANF program goals.

Low literacy and numeracy are prevalent among TANF participants and can be barriers to pursuing education, job training, and employment. Improving literacy and numeracy may improve employment outcomes as adults with higher literacy levels tend to earn more and experience greater job stability.

This tipsheet provides TANF leaders with practical guidance on why and how to use TANF resources to support basic skills development to improve employment outcomes. By investing in foundational skills, TANF agencies can promote long-term self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on government benefits.

Both college-going and college completion rates are far lower in rural areas than in other geographical settings. To better understand what works to help rural students enroll in and complete college, MDRC has launched the National Rural Higher Education Research Center. The center will work with college systems to conduct eight research studies in two regions: the South and the Mountain West. In this Evidence First podcast episode, MDRC discusses the research questions the Center will address in response to the needs of rural practitioners and policymakers.

With institutional cultures that are rooted in family, community, and holistic supports, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are uniquely positioned to catalyze the systemic change needed to better support Black and Native student parents. Ascend at the Aspen Institute established the Black and Native Family Futures Fund to provide funding and expert technical assistance to eight HBCU and TCU partners. Ascend is hosting a webinar on November 14, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. ET where student parents and leaders from some of the Fund partners will discuss key themes including the importance of family-like environments, student parent expertise, and the support of leadership.